is it not notable?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

One wonders how the United States existed for over a century before the Great Society broke the federal budget.

Grinding poverty and early deaths for 90% of the population. Of course you want to return to that because you're a sociopath, but that's the answer to "how the United States existed".

In the 1950's?

Ever been to Appalachia?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

One wonders how the United States existed for over a century before the Great Society broke the federal budget.

Grinding poverty and early deaths for 90% of the population. Of course you want to return to that because you're a sociopath, but that's the answer to "how the United States existed".

In the 1950's?

Yes, even in the 50s life played out this way for a large minority of Americans.

Doesn't it still do for many people?

Not as many, although it's ticking up again as one might expect.